PhD Research Studentships
System science-based design of innovative nonlinear seat-suspension systems for off-road vehicles
| Supervisor: | Yunpeng ZHU |
| Apply by: | 31 July 2023 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Suppressing vibrations from off-road construction and agricultural vehicles will significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders caused by long-term Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exposure to drivers. The solution to this and related industrial vibration problems are the development of seat-suspension systems. The project will develop a paradigmatic shift to the way of analysis and design of seat-suspension systems benefiting UK transportation sectors including freight, road and rail industries. The proposed research studies will produce innovative theories and methods as well as cost-efficient implementation techniques that would profoundly address performance and cost issues with existing technologies and be applied to resolve vibration control problems in a wide range of engineering areas.
To achieve this goal, the project will combine data-driven science and system analysis methodologies to develop novel system science-based theories and methods for seat-suspension systems. You will develop a novel data-driven model synthesis methodology to build digital human body models of drivers and integrate them into the design of seat-suspension systems. The nonlinear damping design and Magneto-Rheological (MR) damper based semi-active implementation technologies will be applied to achieve reliable and cost-efficient WBV reduction solutions as required by industrial sectors. The experimental and field studies will be conducted in collaboration with academic and industrial partners to design a nonlinearly damped seat-suspension system to improve the drivers’ ride comfort and safety.
The research outcomes would be extensively applied to other industrial sectors including earthquake engineering, precession manufacturing, and renewable-energy engineering to address vibration control challenges. High-quality international journal papers would be published to disseminate the research achievements to all relevant researchers and industrial stakeholders.
Funding
Funded by: Queen Mary ResearchUK students only.
This studentship is fully funded and includes a 3 year stipend (set at £20,622 for 2023/24) and Home Tuition Fees.
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
- SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
- Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
- Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Yunpeng ZHU.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Mechanical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-434" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| SEMS Research Centre: |